Repeal 50-A

The fight for transparency in police misconduct, explained

New York’s repeal of section 50-a — which allowed police to shield misconduct records — is a big win for activists, but there is more work to be done.
06/16/2020
Vox

In 2012, Ramarley Graham, an 18-year-old black teenager, was fatally shot in his own home by a white New York City police officer, Richard Haste. Haste and other officers had followed Graham home from a nearby bodega and forced their way in, later saying that they believed Graham was carrying a gun. Graham was, in fact, unarmed.

For immediate release: June 10, 2020

Victory: Communities United for Police Reform Celebrates Package of Civil Rights Laws that Make New Yorkers Safer from Police

New York, NY – After years of organizing across New York City and New York State, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) celebrated the passage of a series of three bills collectively called the Safer NY Act that together increase police transparency and help increase accountability around New Yorkers' m

For immediate release: June 9, 2020

In Anticipation of Assembly Passage, Communities United for Police Reform Celebrates the Repeal of 50-a by New York State Legislature

New York, NY (June 9, 2020) – In anticipation of the New York State Assembly’s passage of the historic #Repeal50a bill, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) and the Safer New York Act coalition that CPR leads are celebrating a milestone bringing New York one step closer to ending the era of police secrecy in New York state, through the repeal of NY’s police secrecy law, 50-a.

This legislative package on police reform is aimed at fixing the NYPD

The Safer NY Act would make it harder for the police to hide misconduct claims, force them to report demographic data about arrests, and legalize marijuana.
06/02/2020
Fast Company

As people protested around the country in response to the death of George Floyd, the nation has seen video after video of police tear gassing, shoving, and shooting at protestors. At massive protests in New York, a police van drove through a protest, and one officer even pulled a handgun on protestors in Manhattan’s Union Square.

Meet the men who scared de Blasio away from police reform

NYPD officer unions taught the NYC mayor a lesson in 2014. He hasn’t forgotten it.
06/02/2020
City & State

The chant was hard to decipher through a bullhorn on a Tribeca street Sunday night, all the more so because the message was a bit unfamiliar. But, listen to the video posted online enough times, and you can make out what the protester was yelling: “Fuck the PBA!” 

Police Misconduct Records Are Secret. Protests May Finally Change That.

06/04/2020
New York Times

At some point, history may show us that after years of aggression, after so much brutality that suggested so little fear of consequence, it took the looting of Chanel and the reversion of SoHo to a wasteland to disable a law that has made real police accountability so difficult in New York City. It required a political class moved by fear — of disorder and desecration — rather than compelled by the logic of justice, which had been obvious for so long.

Amid protests, effort to repeal controversial police law makes headway

Activists involved express optimism, say momentum is stronger than ever.
06/05/2020
ABC News

As protests over the killing of George Floyd continue across the country, momentum in New York to repeal a decades-old police transparency law appears to be gaining steam, according to activists and legislators involved in the effort, in what they say would be a major step forward in the fight for police reform.

For immediate release: June 7, 2020

Communities United for Police Reform Celebrates Intro of NY Legislation to End Police Secrecy

New York, NY (June 7, 2020) – Today, Communities United for Police Reform, the unprecedented campaign uniting New York’s advocacy organizations to end NYPD violence and imagine a future of safety without relying on the police, celebrated the introduction of state legislation that will end police secrecy and fully repeal 50-a.

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